New schoolyard brings joy and safety to children, easing concerns for the school and parents

January 29, 2025
a little boy that is standing in the grass

Farijan and Mirha Kadrić Berkovac

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić

Farijan, a fourth-grade student at Grbavica I Primary School in Sarajevo, says his favorite subject is math, where he excels with top grades, but he also enjoys spending time with friends on the new school playground.

When I started school, the yard wasn’t as modern as it is now. I love playing football with my friends, I like the goals and everything, but especially the soft surface, so if we fall, we won’t get hurt. Before, it was concrete, and we could get seriously injured,” says Farijan. His classmate Tajra adds that she especially likes being able to play without fear:

a man standing in a parking lot

Tajra, a fourth-grade student

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić
“I like the schoolyard because there are no more injuries. When the weather is nice, we always go outside with our teacher to play. We also use it during extended care and even come here with friends outside of school to create shared memories.”
Tajra

"The children are proud of their schoolyard"

Farijan’s older brother is in eighth grade at the same school, and their mother, Mirha Kadrić Berkovac, says the modernization of the schoolyard and its equipment has primarily created a safer environment:

Parents feel more at ease letting their children play here without constant supervision, and the kids feel freer. It’s especially important that they can do extracurricular activities in the schoolyard and spend their free time there, even on weekends. I’ve also noticed that the children take pride in their playground. When friends from other parts of the city come over, they immediately take them to see the schoolyard and play there. I think this was truly a great initiative!

The schoolyard was renovated and reconstructed through the Project for Improving Performance of Local Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PIPLS), funded by Sweden and implemented and co-financed by the United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNDP BiH), with the support of three cantons and 22 local self-government units. Several playgrounds were renovated, all necessary equipment was provided, and access paths were improved.

Denis Ibrović, president of the Parents' Council at Grbavica I Primary School, says the renovation came just as parents were discussing its necessity and making plans. The school surprised them with the announcement of the reconstruction:

The parents of this school are absolutely satisfied with everything that has been done. The playground is fantastic, with this beautiful blue color, and we were all eagerly waiting for it to be completed. Safety measures have been improved, technical details have been met, but the biggest proof of success is the smiles on the children’s faces as they play,” says Ibrović, emphasizing that the playground was previously not entirely safe:
 

“There was a large hole in the middle that filled with water, making the playground unusable for much of the year, especially during the rainy school months. This playground is also important for the local community, as most students come from this part of the city, so it is used outside school hours and on weekends. We are very proud to have such a facility.”
Denis Ibrović

While thrilled with the improvements, the Parents' Council president believes further upgrades could enhance the space even more:

Some additional improvements could be made, such as a small stand on the side facing Wilson’s Promenade, as well as a fence around the entire school area. This, along with upgrading the extended care playground and adding lighting, would create a complete and functional space that could be used longer throughout the day.

"It’s much easier to be a school director when you know the children are safer"

Sedin Kamenjaš, the principal of Grbavica I Primary School, says the schoolyard renovation has made his job much easier, knowing that students are now in a safer environment. He hopes the project will be completed with fencing and lighting to create a comprehensive recreational area for children:

a man standing in a park

Denis Ibrović

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić
a man holding a sign posing for the camera

Sedin Kamenjaš

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić
“It’s a pleasure to see children playing outdoors, not just students from our school but also from other municipalities and across the city, all of whom are welcome to use this sports facility. We also have sports clubs training here in the summer. The playground is designed for football and handball and is open to everyone.”
Sedin Kamenjaš

Teacher Azra Mujčić notes that although the school has an adequate gym, she takes every opportunity to hold physical education classes outdoors to ensure children get fresh air and spend time in nature:

“We are proud and happy because we feel safe in our schoolyard. We use it not only for regular activities but also for extracurricular ones. Even after school, children love spending time here, playing basketball and football. It’s especially important for extended care, where students from first to fourth grade can engage in quality activities. I think this was the right move!”
Azra Mujčić

Collaboration and sensitivity to school needs

Assistant Principal Fatima Malkić highlights the strong collaboration throughout the project and the responsiveness to the school's needs:

a person standing posing for the camera

Azra Mujčić

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić
a young boy standing next to a road

Fatima Malkić

Foto: Sulejman Omerbašić
“I would particularly emphasize the excellent cooperation with the contractors, as well as the PIPLS project team and the municipality, who were attentive to everything we, as educators, suggested was necessary. Besides the schoolyard itself, the installation of benches was crucial. This area is not just a sports and recreation space—teachers can also use it for outdoor lessons and extracurricular activities. Our suggestions were taken into account, including the arrangement of the benches. Special attention was also given to removing technical barriers to ensure accessibility for children with disabilities, with appropriate benches and spaces for everyone. I’m also pleased that the green areas have remained intact and that the schoolyard is being used to its full potential.”
Fatima Malkić

The Project for Improving Performance of Local Services in Bosnia and Herzegovina (PIPLS) aims to improve access to essential public services through better management and increased investment in local infrastructure.